Auburn 74, South Carolina 71: Frankie Sullivan scored a team-high 17 points as the visiting Tigers recorded their third straight victory and sixth in eight contests.
Rob Chubb made eight of his nine free-throw attempts to finish with 16 points and 10 rebounds for Auburn (8-7, 2-0 SEC).
Bruce Ellington had 18 points in just his second game since returning following the conclusion of the Gamecocks' football season. The two-sport star shot 8-for-14 from the field and Damien Leonard had a season-high 17 points and matched a career best with five 3-pointers for South Carolina (10-5, 0-2), which has dropped two in a row following a five-game winning streak.
Auburn was clinging to a 73-71 advantage when Ellington forced a turnover. Eric Smith missed his 3-point attempt on the ensuing possession and Chubb secured an offensive rebound before being fouled with 35.2 seconds left.
Chubb split his free throws to extend the Tigers' lead to three. Brian Richardson's failed 3-point bid caromed out of bounds, and Ellington misfired on his attempt as time expired.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The visiting team has won nine of the last 11 games in this series. Auburn owns a 20-14 edge in the all-time set. ... South Carolina seized a 39-38 advantage at intermission as both clubs combined for 25 personal fouls. The teams finished with 47 fouls. ... The Gamecocks held a 29-19 edge in rebounds.
Auburn | South Carolina | |
Frankie Sullivan 17 | Scoring | Bruce Ellington 18 |
Josh Wallace 7 | Assists | Michael Carrera 5 |
Rob Chubb 10 | Rebounds | Damien Leonard 9 |
Rob Chubb 8 | Free Throws Made | Michael Carrera 4 |
Rob Chubb 3 | Steals | Bruce Ellington 2 |
Rob Chubb 1 | Blocks | Michael Carrera 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Auburn | 74 | 58.5 | 8-18 | 18-28 | 14 | 20 | 3 | 9 | 17 |
South Carolina | 71 | 45.6 | 8-20 | 11-16 | 20 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 15 |